THE POWER OF MENTORSHIP A WELI Scholar Shares her Journey

The Women’s Education & Leadership Institute (WELI) Spring Soirée was held on Saturday, February 25, 2023, inside the Willard Lewallen STEM Center Building. The day was dressed in pinks, lilacs, and all the beautiful colors of the rainbow. One of the highlights of the day was the heartfelt speech by WELI Scholar Alumna Maricarmen Gonzalez.

As an undocumented, first-generation, and Latina student, she said her academic journey has not been easy. She encountered many obstacles and had to put herself first by advocating for herself toward the goals she wanted to accomplish.

“WELI provided me with a supportive environment where I connected with other women who shared similar experiences and aspirations as me,” she said. “WELI was not just financial support, but a community where I found comfort and friendship in facing challenges and seeking personal growth.”

Maricarmen, 22, grew up in Soledad and attended Soledad High School. She graduated in 2019 and immediately started her college career at Hartnell College. Because she completed college classes via concurrent enrollment and dual enrollment during high school, she graduated with three degrees in business administration, communication studies, and economics from Hartnell in 2021.  She is currently in her last semester at Sacramento State University majoring in business marketing.

“I feel incredibly fortunate to have been paired with Esmeralda Owen, who I now consider one of my role models. I still remember when I first saw her, I wanted her as my mentor!” she said. “Having her as a mentor has been a life-changing experience and I am honored now to have the privilege of working in her company and learning from her every day.”

Maricarmen is the Marketing and PR Coordinator for Precious Stone PR Inc. She started as an intern and quickly moved her way up. In addition, she is the spokesperson for public service announcements in Spanish for Monterey County Behavioral Health.

WELI’s focus on leadership, teamwork and personal development helps scholars personally and professionally. “I feel more confident and capable as a leader, and I am excited to bring these skills to both my academic and professional pursuits,” she said. “WELI has opened doors for me, and I am grateful for the connections I have made throughout and after this program.”

In May, Maricarmen will graduate with a bachelor’s degree. She is eager to continue her journey in marketing and television to use her passion and expertise to connect with people, share stories, and make a difference in her community. In addition, she looks forward to planning a wedding with her fiancée, Chris.

ABOUT WELI
The Women’s Education & Leadership Institute (WELI) was founded in early 2011 by community leaders who saw a need to advance the education and economic status of women and families in Monterey County. The WELI program consists of summer leadership training, an on-campus, student-led WELI Club, powerful mentorship with community leaders, and a $2,500 financial award per student, making this a life-changing experience.

Since its inception, the WELI program has graduated more than 250 scholars and granted approximately $500,000 in scholarships. To support WELI, call us at 831-755-6810.

The Alfred Diaz-Infante Memorial Legacy Scholarship Endowment Yesenia Marquez Padilla is one of seven scholars

“I believe that things happen for a reason,” said Hartnell College Alumna Yesenia Marquez Padilla. “Hartnell was put in my path for a reason and I am so glad they were there for me.”

Marquez Padilla, 24, has reason to celebrate and be thankful. On February 2, 2023, she was one of six Alfred Diaz-Infante Memorial Legacy Scholars to be celebrated at the CHISPA annual event, along with one Diaz-Infante Family Scholar. She graduated from Hartnell in May 2022 and transferred to CSU Bakersfield as a Political Science and Pre-Law major. She is set to graduate in December 2023. Alfred Diaz-Infante was the CEO of CHISPA (Community Housing Improvement Systems and Planning Association) for 24 years, making the event the perfect occasion to announce the recipients of his scholarship.  

“I learned to love the law system in this country, although the justice system has flaws. I want to be a catalyst for change,” she said. “I want migrant students to know that there are many opportunities for them, and I want to be a resource for them and their parents.”

Yesenia is from Castroville. She has three siblings. Her parents came from Jalisco, Mexico and her mom is also a Hartnell alumna.

“I am so proud of my mom!” she said. “She is not only a cancer survivor, but she graduated from Hartnell with me last year; we got to walk together at graduation. It was special.”

In 2016, Yesenia graduated from North Monterey County High School in Castroville and went on to Cal State University East Bay. During a trip to Mexico, she fell ill and had to immediately undergo surgery for appendicitis, and later her gallbladder was removed. She could not travel back to the United States and had to remain in Mexico for one year for proper healing.

“I have always been determined to finish school and I went through my illness with lots of stress because of all the delays with my education plan,” she said. “It was not easy to transition from a university to a community college – for a while, I felt a lot of shame for taking so much time to pick up the pieces and continue.”

But she held her head up high and turned the situation into a positive outcome. As a member of her local LULAC, she raised $10,000 for scholarships, became the Reina Fiestas Patrias 2019, and became a champion for community advocacy and higher education. 

This summer, Marquez Padilla will be preparing for her LSATs, the admissions test required by most schools of law.

“I want to make my America better,” she said.

When she has free time from her studies, Yesenia loves to try new foods, travel, explore architecture, dance, play with makeup, hike, and more.

Congratulations to all the 2023 Alfred Diaz-Infante Memorial Legacy Fund Scholars and the 2023 Diaz-Infante Family Fund Scholar! The Hartnell College Foundation is proud of you and looks forward to your contributions to our communities as you become brilliant professionals in your fields of study.

FILLED WITH GRATITUDE
Gabino Guzman goes to Paris

Last year, Gabino Guzman, 20, participated in a summer internship at UC Santa Cruz’s International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) and was part of the team that entered the International Synthetic Biology Competition. They won gold! He was the only Latino, the only Hartnell student, and the only one with parents who work in the fields.

“To be honest, I felt out of place there,” Guzman said. “I felt like I did not bring any value to the team; they were all smarter than me and had a completely different upbringing than me.”

But this changed. In this international competition, the team had to interact with teams in other countries, and thus when La Universidad de Tecnológia de Chihuahua, Mexico connected with the UCSC team, Gabino was the only one who spoke Spanish and translated for the team.

“That was the moment I realized I have traits that are unique to me and that my team celebrated,” he said. “On the last day of the internship, I was invited to join them to present our research in Paris – I was floored!”

He wrote a letter to the Hartnell College Foundation and to his dean asking for a scholarship to support his travel expenses to France. It was a process that had to be approved by the Foundation Board and the College Board of Trustees.  And thus, with all the necessary blessings, Gabino was off to Paris on October 2022.

“I did not even process it up until I was at the Eiffel Tower,” he said. “That’s when I realized I was a long way from home.”

He was there with his team for one week, during which they presented to teams from other countries as shown in the photo with representatives of India. He enjoyed workshops and visiting Paris during their free time.

His team at UCSC worked on producing a protein called “Exendin-4 (Ex-4)” in E.Coli and S. cerevisiae to make Type 2 Diabetes treatment more accessible for under-resourced and socioeconomically disadvantaged communities. Ex-4 is a glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonist (GLP1-RA) drug that triggers a response that leads to increased insulin production and sensitivity. Their goal is to produce a bio-encapsulated GLP1-RA Ex-4 that is cost-effective for patients.

“To our donors, thank you for changing my life as a first-generation college student!” He said. “Thank you for believing in me and bringing me a step closer to achieving my dream of becoming a physician-scientist.”

Guzman graduated from Soledad High School in 2020 and began his college career at Hartnell College that same year. When he graduates in May 2024, he will have earned associate degrees in biology, physics, chemistry, and math. His goal is to become a physician-scientist and earn an MD and a Ph.D. in biomedical engineering. He gives credit to his support programs in MESA, TRiO, and MILE (Men’s Institute of Leadership and Education) for having the drive and motivation to keep going.

“My TRiO director, Manuel Bersamin, is always encouraging me,” he said. “He was there when for a moment I doubted myself and he reassured me that I am meant to do great things with my life – I am infinitely thankful to him and to MESA for believing in me.”

Although he has a busy academic life and work schedule with MESA, Gabino finds time to read classical books and philosophy, and he enjoys playing chess and working out. He has a little brother and two half-sisters.

“Hartnell was the best choice for me and I hope many others take advantage of a local community college that provides all you need to succeed,” he said. “I have struggled, but I have taken advantage of all the resources here, I have put in the work, and I am succeeding.”

Gabino says that his parents are proud of him and that his dad tells him how he never imagined he would get a son who is such a hard worker. “It is a nice feeling to hear my dad be so proud,” he added.

GRATITUDE AND GIVING Celebrating Philanthropy

The Hartnell College Foundation is happy to honor the Tanimura Family Foundation and David and Susan Gill as exemplary philanthropists in our community. Both were recognized at the National Philanthropy Day for the Central Coast event in November.

The Gills and their heart
Susan and David Gill are from King City and have been generous donors and engaged volunteers for nonprofit organizations for many years. They have changed lives through their support of education, youth development, health, and the arts. David and Susan play many roles in the community – founders, board members, volunteers, major donors, advisors, event chairs, and strategic planners, which is why being recognized as the 2022 Outstanding Philanthropists of the Year for the Central Coast is so fitting for this dynamic couple. The Hartnell College Foundation was honored to nominate them for this award.

“The Gills exemplify the concept of altruism and philanthropy, serving something greater than yourself, whether it be your community, family, or the world as a whole,” said Jackie Cruz, vice president of advancement and development and executive director for the Hartnell College Foundation. “The deeper purpose in life enriches life itself, and it is a real honor to work with Susan and David to make our community stronger – one student at a time.”

The Gills are get-it-done people and do not seek fanfare or accolades. They lead by example with generosity that inspires others to give. To work with David and Susan is to witness joyful philanthropy in action.

David and Susan Gill have supported the Hartnell College Foundation for 24 years. Their extraordinarily generous lifetime giving to Hartnell has included a broad range of programs, such as seed funds for the King City Education Center and its recent expansion, support of scholarships, athletics, the arts, seed funds for the Agriculture Business, and Technology Center at the Alisal Campus, the Women’s Education and Leadership Institute, and the Foundation’s Party In the Library.

Their contributions extend beyond financial to include their volunteer leadership, service, and fundraising on behalf of the College, which has brought in millions of dollars for students.

David and Susan have both served on the Hartnell College Foundation Board of Directors, for a combined total of 19 years. In these roles, they have provided thoughtful guidance and leadership. Susan was Co-Chair of the successful Hartnell King City Education Center Campaign. The Gills and their friends were the driving force behind this project, which will serve generations to come.

The Hartnell College Foundation’s Party In the Library event would not be the success that it is without Susan Gill. She has played a role in the event since the beginning and chaired or co-chaired for five years. Susan served as the co-chair of Measure T, helping the College secure $167 million dollars to expand higher education and workforce training throughout the Salinas Valley corridor.

David, a recognized leader in the agriculture industry, is the chair of Hartnell’s President’s Agriculture Steering Committee, helping the College work in partnership with the agriculture community. The Gills are involved in every major philanthropic effort in South County, and many are County-wide.

The Tanimura Family Foundation sees community as family
It is said that there are only a few family legacies that have embedded their roots into California’s soil like that of Tanimura & Antle. Since patriarchs George Tanimura and Bob Antle joined together in 1982, the name has risen to one synonymous with innovation, intention, and sustainability. The Tanimura Family Foundation has played an equally vital role in the Central Coast communities through its philanthropy. This made them the natural choice for recognition as the 2022 Outstanding Philanthropic Foundation of the Year for the Central Coast when nominated by the Hartnell College Foundation.

“The Tanimura Family Foundation is an exceptional philanthropic partner. Throughout the years, they have provided vital seed funds for some of the most important and innovative work that exists today for our students and community,” said Cruz. “Their unwavering commitment to education is at the core of their foundation values and we are immensely grateful for their partnership.”

“The mission of the Foundation is to encourage education,” said Kerry Varney, executive director for the Tanimura Family Foundation. “We want to give back to the workforce so their children can get educated and perhaps come back and work for Tanimura & Antle in an administrative position.”

The Tanimura Family Foundation has been a tremendous partner to the Hartnell College Foundation, granting a total of $1.1 million since 2007. It has provided funding for a broad range of programs, including capital support for Hartnell’s Soledad and Castroville campuses, and funding for annual and endowed scholarships, academic programs, internships, and athletics.

In 2007, the Tanimura Family Foundation transformed the ag program at Hartnell College as a founding member of the Ag Steering Committee and the Agricultural Business and Technology Institute housed at the East Alisal Campus. Most recently, their significant support of Hartnell’s two new campuses in Soledad and Castroville will allow the College to serve those communities in perpetuity.

The Foundation’s philanthropy expands further into a partnership that supports paid internships for students. The Tanimura Family Foundation has provided annual funding for ag research internships for several years, and then established an endowment for the internship program. During the pandemic, when students faced financial hardships and uncertainties about the future, and when internship opportunities were scarce, the Tanimura Family Foundation was flexible with its endowment, allowing Hartnell College to turn internship opportunities into scholarships for transfer students. Because of this, students did not have to put their future college plans on hold. This is the type of responsive, visionary, and caring philanthropy practiced by the Tanimura Family Foundation.

The Foundation supports multiple organizations and programs on the Central Coast. Since 2011, the Tanimura Family Foundation has provided more than $4 million to the local community in the areas of youth, healthcare, education, community development, and human services.

“The Tanimuras are the most generous, kind, loving, down-to-earth, and humble people you will ever meet,” said Varney. “They love to help people.”

The Hartnell College Foundation thanks The Tanimura Family Foundation and Susan and David Gill for their vision and for their heart for our students.